The Washington critic., 1887-09-12

!!.......:.. M. IN. IN: E \
Shlgngol0 10 3 8 1917 ~
G,slost 81 az IS 70 IS 81 q - 100
Detroit continued on In her winning way
last week, taking jump OF II points.
Chicago fell 8 points, doing worse than the
week before when Auson's men dropped 3
points; New York dropped from .jGl ami
third place to .5S3 and fourth place. The
Phillies took big brace and went from
'ool up to .5j1, l6 points, doing the best OF
any club. Boston stayed In fifth place.
Her percentage rose. q trlile, from .541 to
800. She is close on the heels OF New
York. Pittsburg dropped from 1882 to $50;
the late lamented Statesmen from tDt to
800, aud indianapolis from 90j to 2gl.
1t is evident that too much has been ex-
ptcted OF the home nine. 1t was taken for
granted that the men would rise superior
10 the vices common TO baseball players, and
would do their whole duty to the public aGd
the board OF directors. As has been seen,
they have wofully failed. They have been
allowed TO go with loose rein when they
should have been checked with Rock
we'll bit. The result ia that now they are
thoroughly demoralized. The nine Is
broken up Into factions. The earnest
players are frettiug and iumIng over the In
capahility and stupidity OF the others,
while the latter are sullen over the dis
Cipllne which the board OF directors have
decided to exercise. Blghearted jim Whit.
uey has seen his best efforts 20 for naught
and has threatened to leave the club un-
less he was properly supported. Is It any
wonder that be has lost heart and that be
was pounded on Saturday IL is not the
loss Of few games that the people com
plain Of. IL is the continued poor playing
OF men who should do better, men who are
paid to do better, and men who can do
better. And this bad playing has been
caused by tippllng.
After all, every club in the League has
had Its troubles this year. 1t has been bad
season for the interests OF the national
game. Among the Detrolts there has been
trouble nearly all the season. Complaints
were made that the management had
fsvorites. Deacon White was laid of. Get
zein was shelved. On the second Eastern
trip nearly everyone In the club was sick.
Games were lost continually, and "shaking
up'' resulted In the release Of Briody and
Weidman.
Everyone knows OF the disaffectlon among
the Chicagos. There ia almost open mutiny
among the players. Had 1t not been for
this feeling, who doubts that they would be
leading Detroit pow'
Excellent manager as Harry Wright is,
even he has had trouble with his men. Do
tectives were put on the track Of certain
men during one OF the Pittsburg series In
Philadelphia, and the investigation showed
that certain Of the Phillies had been "doing"
the town with certain OF the Pittsburgs
There was some sharp talk by both Wright
and Phillips In consequence.
The New York Club has been divided
into factions ever since the season began,
and at last Ward had to resign the cap.
talncy. We all remember how the playing
Of the Giants was hooted some time ago
when the Washlngtons went over there aud
easily defeated them. They were dubbed
"rotten potatoes" and very small ones,
too.
Boston has just been experiencing a season
OF fines and public indignation. A large
number Of her players have been fined for
drinking, and the star pitcher, Radbourn,
suspended for poor playing. The club that
was thought at one time to have chances
for the pennant is now hopelessly fifth.
Pittsburg has suffered from too m. h
drink.
Some OF the indianapolis players have
been involved In the most disgraceful con.
to the workhouse, and Denhy was so
stricken with remorse that he signed the
pledge. Then the men were insubordlnate,
and Manager Burnham could do nothing
with them. Yes all the clubs have had
trouble.
1t can be seen what an evil intemperance
smong ball players has become. Tue lead
ing players recognize the danger that
menaces the game. They perceive that uu-
less something is done the game will fall
into utter disrepute. Public patronage will
drop away and the game Will become what
1t was some years ago--a reproach to the
country. AT the recent mreting OF the
League presidents at Asbury Park, this mat.
ter was earnestly discussed and arrange
ments made to prepare rules covering tue
subject to be presented at the annual meet
ing Of the League. The Ball Players
Brotherhood have also taken up the sub
iect, and the indications are that next year
there will be less tipping among the play.
ers. The evil must be crushed out.
The Philadelphia Times this morning pub,
lished the following; "For the first time
in the history Of baseball the color line
has been drawn, and that by the worlds
champions, the st. Louis Browns, who have
established the precedent that white players
must not play with colored men. Tue
| Browns were in open revolt Saturday night
Some time ago President Won der Abe ar
ranged for his club to play an exhibition
| game at West Farms, near New York, will
the Cuban Giants, the noted colorcd club
| He was promised big guarantee, aud Il
was expected that fully 1900 person,
| would be present. The game was to hav,
been played yesterday, and President Vor
| der Abe had purchased railroad tickets TO
| all bis players and made all the arrange
ments for the trip. While he was at suppe
at the Continental Hotel Saturday night
he was approached by 0'Neil, the lef
fielder, who laid letter on the table ant
then hastily slipped out Of the room. Th,
letter read as follows:
| TO CHRIS V0a der Ahe!
DEAR SIN: We the undersigned, members o
| the St. Louis Baseball Club do not agree I,
| play against negroes tomorrow. We will
cheerfully play against white people at an,
time dn and tSRs MRs by Ystnp % play VIZ
| into consideration and tho shape the team IS Il
| W. A. LATHAM,
q. Il. o'NrIL,
II. j.. CARUTuERs,
W. Il. GLEASON,
w. II. ROBISsOY,
CHARLES KIsG,
CURT WELCH.
"Nr. Won der Abe hastily left the tabl
and went down stairs, where he found tn
players talking In group When he aske
The meaning Of the letter nobody answere,
him. Even Latham, whose jaws are al
ways going, could not get out word, Re
ceivlng no reply ho said quietly; AS
seems to be matter Of principle with yOu
you need not play to morrow The s.
Louis players were not disposed to talk c